Screening structural resistance

The vesicular monoamine transporters (VMATs) were identified in a screen for genes that confer resistance to the parkinsonian neurotoxin MPP+ [2]. The resistance apparently results from sequestration of the toxin inside vesicles, away from its primary site of action in mitochondria. In addition to recognizing MPP+, the transporter s mediate the uptake of dopamine, ser otonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine by neurons and endocrine cells. Structurally, the VMATs show no relationship to plasma membrane monoamine transporters. 

The packing itself may consist of spherical, cylindrical, or randomly shaped pellets, wire screens or gauzes, crushed particles, or a variety of other physical configurations. The particles usually are 0.25 to 1.0 cm in diameter. The structure of the catalyst pellets is such that the internal surface area far exceeds the superficial (external) surface area, so that the contact area is, in principle, independent of pellet size. To make effective use of the internal surface area, one must use a pellet size that minimizes diffusional resistance within the catalyst pellet but that also gives rise to an appropriate pressure drop across the catalyst bed. Some considerations which are important in the handling and use of catalysts for fixed bed operation in industrial situations are discussed in the Catalyst Handbook (1). 

This should come as no surprise, since the physical behavior of materials is non-linear and unpredictable, especially when materials are formulated or in combination. Two examples will suffice high temperature ceramic superconductors and insulators above their critical temperatures or at non-ideal stoichiometries composite structures may show several times the strength or impact resistance than would be expected from their component materials. Materials discovery will always require a good deal of trial and error, factors that may be mitigated by techniques that permit the simultaneous synthesis of large numbers of materials, followed by rapid or parallel screening for desired properties. 

Because sulfuric acid and halogen are very corrosive, selection of the structural materials is an important issue. Screening tests have been carried out using test pieces of commercially available materials at GA [29], JAEA [30,31], etc. As for the gas-phase environment of the H2S04 decomposition step, some refractory alloys that have been used in conventional chemical plants showed good corrosion resistance. Figure 4.13 shows one of the experimental results of Alloys 800 and —600 obtained under gas-phase sulfuric acid decomposition environments at 850°C. Gas compositions in the upstream and downstream... 

Table IV summarizes the results for the resist screening studies at SSRL. The resist candidates generally exhibited good sensitivity, Dg 5 < 50 mJ/cm2, and contrast, 7 = 1.5. Definitive conclusions regarding the effect of structure on sensitivity are made difficult by the fact that polymer molecular weight and poly-dispersity varied considerably from sample to sample and, since we found a very strong dependence of Dg 5 on these parameters, specific structural effects are obscured. Several generalizations can be made, however.

Mkaline Fuel Cell The electrolyte for NASA s space shnttle orbiter fuel cell is 35 percent potassinm hydroxide. The cell operates between 353 and 363 K (176 and I94°F) at 0.4 MPa (59 psia) on hydrogen and oxygen. The electrodes contain platinnm-palladinm and platinum-gold alloy powder catalysts bonded with polytetraflnoro-ethylene (PTFE) latex and snpported on gold-plated nickel screens for cnrrent collection and gas distribution. A variety of materials, inclnding asbestos and potassinm titanate, are used to form a micro-porous separator that retains the electrolyte between the electrodes. The cell structural materials, bipolar plates, and external housing are nsnally nickel-plated to resist corrosion. The complete orbiter fuel cell power plant is shown in Fig. 24-48. 

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